The sixth season of American Horror Story, subtitled Roanoke, remains one of the anthology series’ most divisive and secretive entries, completely changing the format and demanding a phenomenal performance from its ensemble cast. The season, which aired in 2016, employed a unique "show-within-a-show" structure, requiring nearly every major actor to play two or even three distinct roles, a challenge that cemented the cast's versatility and topical authority within the horror genre. The key to understanding Roanoke lies in its cast, who had to portray both the 'real' survivors of the haunted farmhouse and the 'actors' who later returned to the deadly location for a reality TV sequel.
As of December 2025, the careers of the AHS: Roanoke cast members continue to thrive, with many securing high-profile roles in film and television, including major superhero franchises and Emmy-nominated series. This deep dive explores the full list of actors who brought the terrifying story of the lost Roanoke Colony to life, detailing their complex dual roles, and providing the latest updates on their current projects, proving that the horror genre is just the beginning for these powerhouse performers.
AHS: Roanoke Cast List and Complete Dual-Role Breakdown
The brilliance of Roanoke—and the central reason for its casting complexity—was the mid-season twist. The first half, My Roanoke Nightmare, was a documentary-style retelling featuring 'real' people and the 'actors' portraying them. The second half, Return to Roanoke: Three Days in Hell, was a reality show where the two groups reunite in the haunted house, leading to an unprecedented body count. The following list details the core ensemble and their multiple entities within the season.
- Sarah Paulson: Paulson held the most complex role, playing the English actress Audrey Tindall, who portrayed the 'real' survivor Shelby Miller in the documentary. She also made a surprise cameo as her fan-favorite character, investigative journalist Lana Winters, in the finale.
- Kathy Bates: Portrayed the unhinged, Oscar-winning actress Agnes Mary Winstead, who played the murderous colonial ghost Thomasin White, better known as The Butcher, in the documentary.
- Cuba Gooding Jr.: Played the arrogant actor Dominic Banks, who portrayed the 'real' survivor Matt Miller in My Roanoke Nightmare.
- Angela Bassett: Took on the role of Monet Tumusiime, a recovering alcoholic actress who played the 'real' survivor Lee Harris in the documentary.
- Evan Peters: Played the English actor Rory Monahan, who portrayed the ghost of the original farmhouse owner, Edward Philippe Mott. Rory was the first to die in the reality show.
- Adina Porter: The breakout star of the season, Porter played the 'real' survivor Lee Harris, whose journey from initial victim to final survivor and eventual death in the finale was the emotional core of the series.
- Lily Rabe: Played the 'real' survivor Shelby Miller, who initially moved to the Roanoke farmhouse with her husband Matt.
- André Holland: Played the 'real' survivor Matt Miller, Shelby’s husband.
- Cheyenne Jackson: Played the ambitious, fame-hungry producer Sidney Aaron James, the creator of both My Roanoke Nightmare and the deadly sequel, Return to Roanoke: Three Days in Hell.
- Denis O’Hare: Played the actor William Van Henderson, who portrayed the ghost hunter Dr. Elias Cunningham in the documentary.
- Leslie Jordan: Played the medium Cricket Marlowe, and later the actor Ashley Gilbert, who portrayed Cricket in the reality show.
- Lady Gaga: Appeared as the powerful ancient witch Scáthach, a central figure in the Roanoke Colony's supernatural curse.
The Shocking Dual-Role Twist and Topical Authority
American Horror Story: Roanoke is a masterclass in meta-horror, using its cast to build a terrifying narrative around the concept of reality television and the exploitation of trauma. The shift from a polished documentary to a found-footage reality show in Episode 6, "Chapter 6," was a risk that paid off, cementing the season’s unique topical authority.
The cast’s ability to convincingly play two different people—the 'real' person and the 'actor' playing them—was the key to the season’s success. For instance, the transition from Kathy Bates’ terrifying, unhinged colonial ghost, The Butcher, to her performance as the obsessive, melodramatic actress Agnes Mary Winstead, who becomes dangerously fixated on her character, was a highlight.
Similarly, Sarah Paulson’s portrayal of Audrey Tindall, the British actress, was a stark contrast to the American 'real' Shelby Miller. This layered performance allowed the show to explore themes of fame, authenticity, and the true cost of chasing viral success, as the actors and the 'real' people were trapped together in the murderous Roanoke farmhouse during the deadly Blood Moon.
The season also introduced entities that have become crucial to the wider AHS universe. The witch Scáthach, played by Lady Gaga, is later revealed to be the original Supreme of the coven, a direct link to the Coven and Apocalypse seasons. The ghost of Edward Philippe Mott, played by Evan Peters, is an ancestor of Dandy Mott from AHS: Freak Show, tying Roanoke firmly into the show's complex lore.
Where the AHS: Roanoke Cast Is Now: 2025 Career Updates
The cast of AHS: Roanoke has continued to dominate both television and film, with several actors achieving career-defining roles in the years following the season’s broadcast. Their recent projects demonstrate their enduring star power and versatility.
Sarah Paulson (Audrey Tindall / Lana Winters)
Since Roanoke, Sarah Paulson has maintained her status as a Ryan Murphy muse while expanding her cinematic portfolio. She starred in the Murphy-produced series Ratched and returned to the big screen in films like M. Night Shyamalan’s superhero thriller Glass and the drama The Goldfinch. Paulson has also been candid about her experience on Roanoke, stating in interviews that it was her least favorite season of AHS to film, primarily due to the intense demands of the dual roles, though she praised the creative risk.
Evan Peters (Rory Monahan / Edward Philippe Mott)
Evan Peters’ career trajectory post-Roanoke is marked by critically acclaimed, demanding roles. He received massive recognition and an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of the titular serial killer in Ryan Murphy’s Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. In a significant 2025 update, Peters is slated to reunite with Murphy for the new television project, The Beauty, a raunchy crime story, confirming his continued collaboration with the showrunner.
Kathy Bates (Agnes Mary Winstead / The Butcher)
A true Hollywood legend, Kathy Bates continues to take on diverse and challenging roles. The most recent major update for Bates is her starring role in the CBS television series Matlock, a reboot of the classic legal drama, for which she has received significant praise and an Emmy nomination as of 2024. She remains a cornerstone of the AHS family, though her focus has shifted to this high-profile network drama.
Angela Bassett (Monet Tumusiime)
Angela Bassett transitioned her star power into a global cinematic presence following Roanoke. She became a key figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), delivering an Oscar-nominated performance as Queen Ramonda in the blockbuster films Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her work on the 9-1-1 series also showcases her continued success in high-stakes television drama.
Adina Porter (Lee Harris)
Adina Porter’s compelling performance as the ‘real’ Lee Harris was a true breakthrough, earning her a Critics' Choice Award nomination and cementing her place in the AHS repertory company. She returned for subsequent seasons, including AHS: Cult and AHS: Apocalypse. Porter has also maintained a strong presence in other popular series, including her role in The 100, proving her status as one of the most reliable and intense performers in modern television.
The legacy of AHS: Roanoke is one of bold experimentation, intense secrecy, and unforgettable performances. The cast’s commitment to playing their dual roles—from the terrified, 'real' victims to the arrogant, doomed actors—created a season that continues to be discussed and debated by fans, solidifying its place as one of the most innovative and terrifying installments in the entire American Horror Story saga. The ongoing success of its stars in 2025 is a testament to the raw talent that brought the myth of the lost colony to life.
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